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The Statue of Liberty will reopen to the public on July 4, more than nine months after Hurricane Sandy destroyed its docks, security screening system and energy infrastructure.New York Sen. Charles Schumer told NBC 4 New York Tuesday that the patriotic landmark will reopen on the holiday. The U.S. Department of the Interior confirmed the date is set. (Published Wednesday, Mar 20, 2013)

Updated at 6:17 PM PST on Sunday, Jul 7, 2013

The Statue of Liberty will reopen to the public on July 4, more than nine months after Hurricane Sandy destroyed its docks, security screening system and energy infrastructure.

New York Sen. Charles Schumer told NBC 4 New York Tuesday that the patriotic landmark will reopen on the holiday. The U.S. Department of the Interior confirmed the date is set.

“It’s good news, it’s a little overdue, but at least it’s there and now we’ll watch like a hawk to make sure that this promise is kept,” Schumer said.

In January, Congress approved $59 million for repairing the national parks, but until Tuesday, there had been no timetable for completion, the I-Team reported last week.

PHOTOS: 1st Look at Sandy Damage on Liberty Island

A portion of that money will fund the repairs to the electric system as well as the landscaping wrecked by the infamous October storm. A permanent deck will also be installed to make the statue better prepared for future storms.

I-Team: Lady Liberty Workers Frustrated by Delays

Chris Glorioso reports hundreds of people who work at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are frustrated that the National Park Service still has no firm date for reopening the landmarks to tourists since their closure from Hurricane Sandy. (Published Thursday, Mar 14, 2013)

“One thing we wanted to make sure of was that not only would you be able to visit the island but you would be able to climb up to the statue itself, and that will be open on July 4,” Schumer said.

The repairs will also bring back 400 people who work for the Statue of Liberty and about 1,000 who work in the tourist industry.

“It’s coming back bigger and better than before, just like New York was after Sandy,” Schumer said.